How many veterans live in Kentucky? What are their characteristics?
Latest update on October 27, 2023The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey includes annual estimates of veterans. According to the Census Bureau, veterans are anyone who has previously served (regardless of the duration of service) in active duty in the armed forces. Relevant armed forces include the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. People who served during World War II in the Merchant Marine are veterans, as is anyone in the National Guard or Reserves who has been on active duty. Veterans are not currently serving and are considered civilians.
Based on the data, the largest group of veterans in Kentucky served in the Vietnam era.
Veteran population of Kentucky
In 2022, 233,436.0 veterans lived in Kentucky.
Veteran state of Kentucky residents by race or ethnicity
Veteran state of Kentucky residents by period of service
The population share of a group like veterans illustrates the prevalence of that group to others in a place. The population share of Kentucky veterans has been dropping in recent years, down 3 percentage points since 2012.
Veteran share of adult civilian population in Kentucky
In 2022, 6.70% of the adult civilian population in Kentucky were considered veterans.
Veteran share of adult civilian population
Kentucky is ranked 30th-highest among states for its share of the veteran population.
How do the veteran and nonveteran populations in Kentucky compare?”
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey allows for comparisons between veteran and nonveteran populations based on several measures.
Percent of veterans in Kentucky who earned income below the poverty line
In 2022, 8.60% of veterans in Kentucky earned income below the poverty line, compared with 15.70% of nonveterans.
Unemployment rate of veterans in Kentucky
In 2022, the unemployment rate for Kentucky veterans for the year was 3.60% compared with 4.30% for nonveterans.
Kentucky veterans with at least a bachelor's degree
In 2022, 24.00% of Kentucky veterans older than 25 had a bachelor's degree compared with 28.10% of the nonveteran population.
Veterans in Kentucky with any disability
In 2022, 35.00% of Kentucky veterans had a disability compared with 20.60% of the nonveteran population.
More on veterans and defense from USAFacts